Volume Iv Part 27 (1/2)
William Makepeace Thackeray [1811-1863]
KAISER & CO
Der Kaiser auf der Vaterland Und Gott on high, all dings gommand; Ve two, ach don'd you understandt?
Meinself--und Gott.
He reigns in heafen, und always shall, Und mein own embire don'd vas shmall; Ein n.o.ble bair, I d.i.n.k you call Meinself--und Gott.
Vile some mens sing der power divine, Mein soldiers sing der ”Wacht am Rhein,”
Und drink der healt in Rhenish wein Auf me--und Gott.
Dere's France dot swaggers all aroundt, She's ausgespieldt--she's no aggoundt; To mooch ve d.i.n.ks she don'd amoundt, Meinself--und Gott.
She vill not dare to fight again, But if she shouldt, I'll show her blain Dot Elsa.s.s und (in French) Lorraine Are mein--und Gott's.
Dere's grandma d.i.n.ks she's nicht shmall beer, Mit Boers und dings she interfere; She'll learn none runs dis hemisphere But me--und Gott.
She d.i.n.ks, goot frau, some s.h.i.+ps she's got, Und soldiers mit der sgarlet goat; Ach! ve could knock dem--pouf! like dot, Meinself--und Gott.
In dimes auf peace, brebared for wars, I bear der helm und sbear auf Mars, Und care nicht for den dousant czars, Meinself--und Gott.
In short, I humor efery whim, Mit aspect dark und visage grim, Gott pulls mit me und I mit Him-- Meinself--und Gott.
Alexander Macgregor Rose [1846-1898]
NONGTONGPAW
John Bull for pastime took a prance, Some time ago, to peep at France; To talk of sciences and arts, And knowledge gained in foreign parts.
Monsieur, obsequious, heard him speak, And answered John in heathen Greek; To all he asked, 'bout all he saw, 'Twas, ”Monsieur, je vous n'entends pas.”
John, to the Palais-Royal come, Its splendor almost struck him dumb.
”I say, whose house is that there here?”
”House! Je vous n'entends pas, Monsieur.”
”What, Nongtongpaw again!” cries John; ”This fellow is some mighty Don: No doubt he's plenty for the maw,-- I'll breakfast with this Nongtongpaw.”
John saw Versailles from Marli's height, And cried, astonished at the sight, ”Whose fine estate is that there here?”
”State! Je vous n'entends pas, Monsieur.”
”His? what, the land and houses too?
The fellow's richer than a Jew: On everything he lays his claw!
I should like to dine with Nongtongpaw.”
Next tripping came a courtly fair, John cried, enchanted with her air, ”What lovely wench is that there here?”
”Ventch! Je vous n'entends pas, Monsieur.”
”What, he again? Upon my life!
A palace, lands, and then a wife Sir Joshua might delight to draw: I should like to sup with Nongtongpaw.
”But hold! whose funeral's that?” cries John.
”Je vous n'entends pas.”--”What, is he gone?